Sports TV rights change often, and that means your TV package needs can change too.
As an example, the biggest recent change is in the Premier League. Amazon Prime Video no longer shows live matches.
For the 2026-27 season, live games will be split between Sky Sports and TNT Sports. It helps to check who has the rights before you sign up.
This guide explains where to watch sport on TV in the UK, from football and Formula 1 to cricket, rugby, and boxing. We'll also look at the best broadband and sport deals, including TV bundles, so you can enjoy all the action for a lower price.
Read this with our TV channel comparison guide. You will then know which add-ons you need and can also avoid paying over the odds.
Free-to-air sports: what you can watch without paying
Sports fans don't always need premium TV channels to enjoy amazing live sport. BBC, ITV and Channel 4 still offer a strong mix of live coverage and highlights for certain events. You can watch through Freeview, Freely, Freesat or via streaming platforms such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
Free-to-air sports coverage includes:
- Football: FA Cup matches, selected England games, Women's Super League and Premier League highlights on BBC's Match of the Day.
- Cricket: Selected live matches from The Hundred and England highlights.
- Rugby: Six Nations, Women's Six Nations and selected fixtures.
- Tennis: Wimbledon and other major events.
- Formula 1: British Grand Prix highlights and selected coverage.
- Snooker, Darts and NFL: Major tournaments and selected live events.
Genie Tip: Streaming in HD requires an average speed of around 10–25 Mbps to be reliable and smooth. For 4K Ultra HD streams, you'll generally need 35 Mbps or more.
Get more help with understanding the package you need with our guide to broadband speed.
Cheapest way to watch Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime
Sky Sports, TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video are among the biggest names in UK sports broadcasting.
You don't always need a long and costly TV contract to follow your favourite teams and events.
Let's compare streaming options, TV bundles and broadband deals to help you find a cheaper way to watch:
Sky Sports
Sky Sports remains the UK's biggest sports broadcaster. It boasts live coverage of:
- Premier League
- English Football League (EFL)
- Formula 1
- Cricket
- Golf
- Rugby
- Darts
- National Football League (NFL)
and more.
Sky Sports shows the largest share of live Premier League matches during the season.
The cheapest way to watch Sky Sports is often through a NOW Sports Membership. This gives you flexible access without a long-term contract.
Sports Flexible offers unlimited monthly access you can cancel anytime, while Day Membership gives 24 hours of viewing.
NOW Sports is available to everyone. You don't need to be a Sky Broadband or NOW broadband customer. However, Sky and NOW Broadband customers can combine TV and sports packages to make savings.
Other providers may also offer discounted bundles.
| Package | Price | Membership Length |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Flexible | £34.99 p/mo | 1-month rolling |
| Day Membership | £14.99 p/day | 24 hours |
For a detailed breakdown of the lowest-cost options, see our guide to the cheapest ways to watch Sky Sports.
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How to watch NOW TV
Don't have a set-top box? No problem! Simply login via a Smart TV (Samsung/LG models) or on any of these popular devices:
- Amazon Fire TV (Firestick)
- Chromecast
- Roku
- Apple TV
- Games consoles PS5, PS4 and Xbox
- Android and iOS mobile apps
- Speed: 150Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£55 per month
Price may rise during contract
- Speed: 150Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£41 per month
Price may rise during contract
- Speed: 300Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£55 per month
Price may rise during contract
TNT Sports
TNT Sports offers live coverage of some major events, including:
- UEFA Champions League football
- Selected Premier League matches
- Premiership Rugby
- UFC
- MotoGP
- Boxing
For many football fans, it's often an essential addition alongside Sky Sports.
You don't need a specific broadband provider to watch TNT Sports. The channel is available on HBO Max. It's also in TV packages from providers like EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
If you're comparing broadband and sport deals, bundling your TV and internet together can sometimes offer better value.
Get more help to understand which TV package and provider option suits you best in our TV channels guide.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video no longer shows live Premier League matches after its UK rights agreement ended in 2025. Fans looking for live Premier League football now need Sky Sports or TNT Sports instead.
Prime membership still includes sports documentaries and selected live events where Amazon holds the rights. As sports coverage changes over time, it is worth checking the latest line-up before subscribing.
If you haven't had Prime membership in the last 12 months, the cheapest way to watch is with a 30-day free trial.
Genie Tip: Remember, you need a valid TV licence to watch live broadcasts in the UK, even online.
Where can I watch sport on TV?
Sports broadcasting rights change regularly, with different competitions available across a range of broadcasters. Whichever sport is your favourite, the easiest way to watch is to know which TV channels show your event in advance.
Here's where to find the UK's biggest sports during the 2026-27 season:
Where can I watch football on TV?
Several TV broadcasters hold the rights to show football coverage in the UK.
Premier League matches will be streamed on Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
Free-to-air broadcasters including BBC and ITV also continue to show selected matches and highlights for other competitions.
| Competition | Main UK Broadcaster | Best way to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | Sky Sports, TNT Sports | Sky TV, EE TV bundles or NOW TV membership |
| UEFA Champions League | TNT Sports, Amazon Prime Video | HBO Max with Sport Add-on, EE TV or Sky TV |
| FA Cup | BBC, ITV | Free on BBC iPlayer, ITVX or Freeview |
| EFL | Sky Sports | NOW or Sky TV |
| Women's Super League | Sky Sports, BBC | BBC iPlayer, NOW or Sky TV |
| England Internationals | ITV, CH4 (rights vary) | Free-to-air or streaming apps |
How to watch F1 in the UK
Sky Sports is the main home of Formula 1 in the UK, showing every practice session, qualifying session and Grand Prix live.
Channel 4 also provides live coverage of the British Grand Prix and highlights from every race. A NOW Sports Membership is the most flexible way to watch Formula 1 without a full Sky TV contract.
Which channel has the cricket?
Sky Sports offers the widest live cricket coverage. It shows England home internationals, county cricket, The Hundred, and overseas tours.
Selected matches from The Hundred are also available free on the BBC.
How to watch Rugby Union and Six Nations
Rugby rights depend on the type of game you follow.
TNT Sports in the UK and Ireland shows Gallagher Premiership Rugby, with a deal to show every game until 2031. Major rugby union events such as the Six Nations are available through BBC and ITV.
Sky Sports covers Rugby League, including the Super League. Fans wanting to watch both codes will need to sign up to both TNT Sports and Sky Sports.
| Competition | Main UK Broadcaster | Best way to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Six Nations (Union) | BBC, ITV | Free on BBC iPlayer, ITVX or Freeview |
| Premiership Rugby (Union) | TNT Sports | HBO Max with Sport Add-on, EE TV or Sky TV |
| Women's Six Nations (Union) | BBC, ITV | Free on BBC iPlayer, ITVX or Freeview |
| Women's Premiership Rugby (Union) | TNT Sports (selected matches) | HBO Max with Sport Add-on, EE TV or Sky TV |
| Super League | Sky Sports | NOW, Sky TV or Sky Sports bundles |
| Rugby League Challenge Cup | BBC | Free on BBC iPlayer, Freeview or Freesat |
| Rugby League Internationals | BBC, Sky Sports (rights vary) | BBC iPlayer or Sky Sports |
Which channel is golf on?
Sky Sports Golf provides the widest UK coverage of professional golf you can get.
Events include the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Ryder Cup and many major tournaments. Some tour events and highlights are also available through free-to-air broadcasters.
How to watch boxing without Sky Sports
You don't always need Sky TV to watch live boxing. Sky Sports, TNT Sports, DAZN and occasional free-to-air channels all feature boxing at various times. Who gets to show what will depend on the fighter and promoter.
Flexible options such as NOW or an HBO Max with Sport subscription can help you avoid a long contract.
How to watch darts
Sky Sports is the main home of PDC Darts, including the World Darts Championship and Premier League Darts. ITV also shows selected tournaments throughout the year.
A NOW Sports Membership is the most flexible way to access Sky Sports without a traditional TV package.
Where can I watch UFC on TV?
TNT Sports is the UK's main broadcaster for UFC, showing live events and Fight Nights through its channels and HBO Max with Sport add-on. If UFC is one of your must-watch sports, compare TNT Sports streaming options and TV bundles to find the best value.
Which channel is Champions League on?
Champions League coverage will be split between Amazon Prime and TNT Sports.
TNT Sports is included, or can be added on to EE TV (BT), Sky or Virgin Media packages. You can also subscribe through HBO Max.
From 2027 to 2031, Paramount+ will show the majority of Champions League matches in the UK.
- Speed: 50Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£42.99 per month
£48.99 from 31st March 2027
£54.99 from 31st March 2028
- Speed: 1.1Gb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£72.99 per month
£79.49 from 1st April 2027
£85.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 362Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£56.99 per month
£60.99 from 1st April 2027
£64.99 from 1st April 2028
FAQs
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What's the cheapest way to watch Sky Sports?
The cheapest option is probably with a NOW Sports Membership. Think of it as a temporary pass that lets you watch Sky Sports without a long-term contract. Sports Flexible offers unlimited monthly access you can cancel anytime, while Day Membership allows 24 hours of viewing.
Sky Broadband and TV bundles also offer discounts for combining services.
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What's the cheapest way to watch TNT Sports?
A standalone TNT Sports subscription through HBO Max is the simplest way to stream without a full TV package. You may also find that the service can be added on as a flexible rolling monthly contract to broadband packages from:
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Do I need Sky and TNT Sports?
Not necessarily. Sky Sports covers the majority of Premier League matches, Formula 1 and many major sporting events worldwide. TNT Sports offers Champions League football, selected Premier League games and other exclusive sports. The best choice depends on what you watch.
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Do you need BT broadband to watch TNT Sports?
No, you don't need EE or BT Broadband to watch TNT Sports. You can subscribe with an HBO Max account or add TNT Sports through selected TV providers. As ever, it's worth comparing standalone subscriptions with broadband and TV bundles.
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Do I need Sky broadband to get Sky TV?
No. Sky Stream and Sky Glass work with almost any UK broadband connection, so you don't need Sky Broadband to get Sky TV packages. However, bundling broadband and TV together can sometimes offer better value.
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Does Amazon Prime have Premier League Football?
No. Amazon Prime Video no longer shows live Premier League matches after its UK rights agreement ended in 2025. Coverage is now split between two TV services - Sky Sports and TNT Sport.
Compare TV and broadband deals
Finding the right sports package doesn't have to mean paying for more than you need. Comparing TV and broadband deals can help you find a package that fits both your viewing habits and your budget.
There are dedicated broadband and TV bundles available, but you can create your own packages by exploring TV add-ons for the following providers:
Before signing up, check for TV add-ons during the broadband checkout process. A bundle could work out cheaper than paying separately for your broadband, TV and sports subscriptions.
NOW Sports Membership is the best way to watch Sky Sports without a long contract.
The easiest way to find the best broadband and TV deals available is to use our postcode checker. It shows the providers, packages and options available in your area, helping you compare before you buy.
Sports rights can change from season to season. Always check official broadcaster and league websites to find the latest information on where competitions will be shown.